WORCESTER Bridge has been returned to its former glory six months after a bus crashed into it.

Scaffolding was in place and a lane into the city was closed during the whole of last week while work to repair the parapet was under way, but the work was completed on time.

There had been a gaping hole after the accident on November 11, 2005 in which part of the bridge, which holds a giant lighting column, was pushed four inches towards the water.

Since then, four experienced stonemasons from Phoenix Masons in Henwick Road have been hand crafting the replacement pieces - which consisted of balustrades, copings and one huge die stone.

Karen Oliver, the office manager, said the replacement piece - which is noticeably cleaner than the rest of the bridge - is made from Whitchurch Grit stone to match the original.

"Our masons Darren Bennett, Jim Turnbull, Spen-cer Cash and Simon Allard, the managing director, have been working on the replacement parts for months," she said. "They even worked their Bank Holiday last week to go and start fitting the pieces.

"It was all cut on site here and then taken over to the bridge - but the die stone had to be craned in as it was so heavy.

"It was especially tricky to fit as the piece is rounded and descends towards the river. Hopefully everyone will think it looks great."

Richard Attwood, Worc-estershire County Council's senior bridge engineer, said he was delighted with the finished look. "It looks very clean at the moment but give it a couple of winters and a bit of grime off the road and I'm sure it will soon blend in," he said. "Phoenix executed it in the time they said and we are very pleased to have restored the bridge back to its former glory."